Its a scary world out there

I've witnessed my 5th accident involving a two-wheeler in 2 months.

One must remember, to actually see the scene of the accident, I've got to be at the right place at the right time. I must be pretty damned lucky, or jinxed. Depending on how you look at it.

Of the 5, 4 of them invovled bicycles and one invovled a motorcycle.
The first incident was the one where Ben Mok was struck near Ngee Ann Poly.
The 2nd one occurred a week after on the opposite side of the road.
The 3rd happened a week later just outside SIM.
The 4th and 5th happened at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 and 6 respectively.

The accident I saw today invovled an old man who was struck by a taxi along AMK Ave 6. His whole face was covered in blood. I know that the head bleeds alot even from a small cut, but still. His WHOLE face was bloody.

Cycling across pedestrain crossings: Is it legal?

Below is an excerpt from a parliamentary debate held on 19-10-2009

WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

TRAFFIC OFFENCES AMONG CYCLISTS

1. Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many cyclists have been booked for traffic offences over the past 12 months; (b) what are the common offences; and (c) what is the rule for vehicular traffic when cyclists ride their bicycles across pedestrian crossings.

Mr Wong Kan Seng:

1,312 summonses were issued to errant cyclists for cycling offences between July 2008 and June 2009. Of these, the largest number of 615 summonses were issued to cyclists for cycling on the footways of roads. Other common infringements include failing to ride in an orderly manner such as not keeping a proper lookout and not giving way to traffic with the right of way, riding on expressways and riding against the flow of traffic.

Cyclists are not prohibited from riding across pedestrian crossings but must do so in a safe and orderly manner. Those who do not and cause danger to others commit an offence under Rule 10 of the Road Traffic (Bicycles) Rules and are liable to pay a composition fine. If they ride in a rash or negligent manner that endangers life, or in a manner that is likely to cause hurt or injury to others, they can be prosecuted under Section 279 of the Penal Code. If convicted, they can be fined up to $5,000 or imprisoned up to one year, or both.

When approaching pedestrian crossings, a driver is required to keep a proper lookout for other road users, slow down and proceed at such a speed which will enable him to stop his vehicle before reaching the crossing. Failure to do so may result in the driver being liable for a fine of up to $1,000, or imprisonment for a term of up to three months under Section 131 of the Road Traffic Act.

Source: http://www.parliament.gov.sg/reports/public/hansard/full/20091019/20091019_HR.html

Now the only problem with this is that its illegal to cycle on the pavement. Sometimes laws can be damn confusing. But then again, this reply is by Wong Kan Seng, you know, the guy with the million dollar salary who wasn't held accountable for Mas Selamat's escape and lost all respect from Singaporeans.

A little too much

Spotted this interesting post on togoparts made by Humongous. He has 3 bike profiles on Togoparts, which I think means he is a paying member.
Its about how he was followed by another cyclist thinking he was a bike thief. The cyclist took it upon himself to interrogate Humongous which included asking why he was not in "proper attire" and why he was not using clipless pedals.

Er.. I've been commuting in sandals and "non-proper attire" for the past 2 years. Oh dear! Would be interesting to meet this guy on the road though. Especially since I usually carry a camera with me :)

"There are also over zealous self thought pseudo "police" scizhophrenic man on the prowl. And i happened to meet one last week.

I was riding my wife 14" XS Kona Kula Primo and stop at the junction of Singapore Expo and ITE college East, and a fellow cyclist riding a Orbea HT with RS SID coupled with CK hub with Mavic 717 pulled up next to me. And start asking where i got the bike, and why am i riding something not fitting to my size. Plus I am not properly attired, how come not wearing clipless, he specifically state that he suspect that the bike might be a stolen bike, and asked me to produce a receipt or proof of purchase.

I replied i got the frame at tay and set it up 3 years ago at L&T, as to why i am not in proper attire, i was delivering some aquatical stuff to my wife who happen to work in Xin Lin . I told him that the bike was fitted with platform pedal how to wear cliplless shoes...

I told him i have the bike in a online webby TGP profile with some upgrade not updated and if he is not satisfied can always call in the men in blue... , he replied maybe the bike profile is alter to suit the loot.. i am bewildered by his condescending tone... and proceeded with my errand, and he tailed me all the way to my wife workplace and threatened to called the cop. I replied why dont you Just Do It?

After which i returned and stop by outside Bedok NPC and asked that stalker whether to go in and lodge a report. i will gladly do so if he was dead sure that i am a bike thief.... if not just leave me alone. He murmured some @#$%^&* and rode off.

It is good to be vigilant but to such extent.... it is over the hill...."

Missing Out

The group I was going on a cycling trip to Malacca with were all using bicycles with 700cc wheels. Being new to long distance cycling I didnt want to slow the group down, so I bought myself a road bike.

The first vid supposedly shows All-Mountain riding and the 2nd one shows Free-riding. My currently in progress XC bike probably wont be able to do the Free-riding, but clearly I have been missing out by riding a road bike.

Obey traffic laws!

Looking at the title and looking at the surroundings, this happened really near my place.
The uncle tried to cycle across the road illegally when the light turned green while he was barely halfway across.
Then he gets almost run over by a Mazda. Real lucky to be alive.

Mermur Bike, another bicycle commuter blog

Another local bicycle commuter's blog!

Mermur Bike

This guy has 4 bicycles in his arsenal one of which is a motorised foldie which he has successfully taken onto the MRT with no interference from MRT staff. During off-peak hours of course.
He also sees local drivers as a considerate bunch and says Singapore bus drivers are very friendly and road concious. Quite a refereshing point of view.
His photo taking style is also quite funky. They've been edited with some vintage effect.

The blog has been added to the list of "Cyclist Blogs" on the right.

Cycling In Switzerland

Long overdue post.

Here's some pics of me cycling around in Kandersteg, Switzerland.

First snowfall!

Heaviest snowfall in Autmun

Transporting bedsheets by bicycle

And here's some pics from a 72km bike ride from Kandersteg to the capital, Bern using the bike paths that connect the entire country! Kinda like our PCN, only better. Imagine if the PCN connects you to Orchard Road from Jurong.

Bikes on a train ride home